Patent Application
20240309888
The present application relates to a fan, more particularly, to a fan having dampening features for reducing the noise of the fan during operation.
Air purification devices generally include a fan to push air through a filter. In general, the size of the fan depends on the size of the filter and the amount of air desired to be pushed through the filter. Mostly, to overcome a large back pressure, the size of fan blades is proportionally large as well. However, large fans generate too much noise, which is undesirable. Many approaches to effectively reduce noise levels through varying blade shapes to improve fluid dynamics have been devised. There are, however, limits to their feasibility.
Another way to control the noise level is to use multiple smaller fans instead of a single large fan. Arranging multiple fans, however, generally leads to a greater space requirement. Yet another approach is to insulate any device unit (not only air purification devices) in its entirety with a noise dampening casing. The more complex the design, at the fan or system level, the higher the overall cost. Therefore, there is a need for a system or a mechanism that can effectively reduce the fan's noise level and, at the same time, maintain the flowrate of air passing through the filter.
Some embodiments relate to a fan including: a body section including a casing and a plurality of propellers; and at least one damping element configured for reduction of noise and including one or more damping patches connected to the body section, wherein the plurality of damping patches include a plurality of bristles structured as serrations or as velvet bristles.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the one or more damping patches include a first set of bristles structured as serrations and a second set of bristles structured as velvet bristles.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein: the plurality of propellers include a plurality of propeller edges; and the plurality of damping patches are connected to one or more of the plurality of propeller edges.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches include the velvet bristles.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches include the serration.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein: the plurality of propellers include a plurality of propeller surfaces; and the plurality of damping patches are connected to one or more of the plurality of propeller surfaces.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches include the velvet bristles.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches include the serration.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches are integral to the body section.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches are a plurality of attachments attached to the body section.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of damping patches are connected to the casing.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of bristles include silicone.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of bristles are flexible.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein: the plurality of bristles include the serration; and the serration includes a plurality of curved serrations.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein the plurality of curved serrations have a plurality of lengths between about 1 millimeter and about 25 millimeters.
Some embodiments relate to a fan, wherein: the plurality of propellers are configured to generate audible noise with one or more wavelengths between a first wavelength and a second wavelength; and the plurality of bristles include a plurality of protrusions with lengths between the first wavelength and the second wavelength.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment (herein also referred to as a noise-reducing element) including one or more damping patches each including a plurality of bristles, wherein the plurality of bristles are structured as a serration or as velvet bristles.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, further including a coupling section configured to attach to a part of a fan.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, wherein the coupling section is configured to attach to the part of the fan by adhesive, soldering, locking, or fusion.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, wherein the plurality of bristles include silicone.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, wherein the plurality of bristles are flexible.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, wherein: the plurality of bristles include the serration; and the serration includes a plurality of curved serrations.
Some embodiments relate to a noise reduction attachment, wherein the plurality of curved serrations have a plurality of lengths between about 1 and about 50% of the longest dimension of the propeller. In a related aspect, a fan is disclosed, which includes a body section having a casing and at least one propeller disposed in the casing and a damping element that is coupled to the body section. For example, the damping element can be coupled to the casing and/or the propeller. The damping element can include a plurality of noise-reducing bristles. The bristles can be structured as serrations or velvet bristles.
The damping element can include one or more damping patches in which the bristles are distributed. In some embodiments, at least one of the damping patches can include a first set of bristles that is structured as serrations and another set of bristles that is in the form of velvet bristles. In some embodiments, a damping patch may include only bristles structured as serrations, or only bristles structured as velvet bristles or both.
At least one propeller of the fan can include a propeller edge, where the plurality of bristles is coupled to the propeller edge. Instead or in addition, the plurality of bristles can be coupled to one or more surfaces of the propeller.
In some embodiments, the damping element can be integrally formed with the propeller. In other words, the propeller and the damping element can form a unitary structure. In other embodiments, the propeller and the damping element are separate units that can be attached to one another.
In some embodiments, the propeller and the damping element can be formed of the same material. In other embodiments, the propeller and the damping element can be formed of different materials. By way of example, and without limitation, the plurality of bristles can include any of silicone, a metal, a plastic, a monomer or polymer, a carbon fiber, a bioorganic fiber and any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the bristles can have a flexible structure, e.g., a structure that allows bending of the bristle without its breakage. In some embodiments, the bristles include a plurality of curved serrations. In some cases, the curved serrations can have a length in a range of about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 25 mm.
In some embodiments, the propeller generates audible noise when in use. The audible noise can have wavelengths between a first wavelength and a second wavelength, e.g., between a wavelength in the air corresponding to a frequency of 20 Hz and another wavelength in the air corresponding to a frequency of 20,000 Hz.
In some such embodiments, the bristles can include a plurality of protrusions (e.g. a plurality of channels extending from a stem as discussed in more detail below) with lengths between the first and the second wavelength. Further, in some embodiments, some of the protrusions have a length that is substantially equal to a wavelength associated with a fundamental frequency of the audible noise and some of the protrusions have a length that is substantially equal to a wavelength associated with at least one harmonic of the fundamental frequency.
In some embodiments, at least one of the bristles can include a stem and a first plurality of branches that extend from the stem. In some such embodiments, the first plurality of branches forms a non-zero angle, e.g., an angle in a range of about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees, with a longitudinal axis of the stem. For example, the angle between the first plurality of branches (or at least a portion thereof) with the longitudinal axis of the stem can be about 90 degrees.
In some embodiments, at least one of bristles can include a first plurality of branches extending from a stem and a second plurality of branches that extend from at least one of the first plurality of branches. In many such embodiments, the second plurality of branches extends from each of the first plurality of branches. In other words, the branches coupled to the stem have a multi-tiered structure with each branch being associated with one or more sub-branches (the first branch is also herein referred to as the main branch and the sub-branches are also herein referred to as secondary branches). In some embodiments, a non-zero angle, e.g., in a range of about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees, can be formed between the main branch and an immediate sub-branch (i.e., a sub-branch that is directly coupled to the main branch and/or between each sub-branch and a next-tiered sub-branch, i.e., between two sub-branches that are directly coupled to one another). In some embodiments, each of the branches forms a non-zero angle with an immediate sub-branch, where the non-zero angle can be in a range of about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees, e.g., about 90 degrees.
In some embodiments, each of the second plurality of branches can have a length that is in a range of about 0.1% to about 50%, e.g. 10% of a length of a respective one of the first plurality of branches from which it extends. More generally, in some embodiments, each sub-branch can have a length in a range of about 0.1% to about 50%, e.g. 10% of the length of a branch or a sub-branch to which that sub-branch is directly connected. Further, in some embodiments, each of the second plurality of branches can have a diameter that is in a range of about 0.1% to about 50%, e.g. 10% of a diameter of a respective one of the first plurality of branches from which it extends. More generally, in some embodiments, each sub-branch can have a diameter in a range of about 0.1% to about 50%, e.g. 10% of the diameter of a branch or a sub-branch to which it is directly connected.
In some embodiments, one or more of the bristles can include a first plurality of branches (and associated sub-branches) that are disposed on a single side of a stem. In some other embodiments, one or more of the bristles can include a first plurality of branches (and associated sub-branches) that are disposed on at least two sides of the stem.
In some embodiments, the stem can have a tapered profile extending from a base to a tip, where the base is wider than the tip. By way of example, and without limitation, the draft angle of a tapered stem can be in a range of about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees, though other draft angles may also be employed.
In a related aspect, a fan is disclosed, which includes at least one propeller disposed within a casing and a plurality of noise-reducing elements coupled to the at least one propeller and the casing. At least one of the plurality of noise-reducing elements includes a bristle having a stem and a plurality of multi-tiered branches extending from the stem.
In some embodiments, at least one of the multi-tiered branches includes a main branch and at least one sub-branch that extends from the main branch and forms a non-zero angle relative to the main branch.
In a related aspect, a noise-reducing element for use with a fan is disclosed, which includes a base that is configured for attachment to any of a propeller and a casing of the fan, and a plurality of bristles that is coupled to the base. Each of the plurality of bristles includes a stem and a plurality of multi-tiered branches that extend from the stem. The noise-reducing element can further include a coupling mechanism that is configured for attaching the noise-reducing element to a propeller and/or the casing of a fan.
By way of example, and without limitation, any of the base and the plurality of bristles can be formed at least partially (or completely) of any of silicone, a metal, a plastic, a monomer or polymer, a carbon fiber, a bioorganic fiber, and any combinations thereof.
Further understanding of various aspects of the embodiments can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings, which are described briefly below.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale or exhaustive. Instead, emphasis is generally placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments described herein. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in this specification and constitute a part of it, illustrate several embodiments consistent with the disclosure. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numbers may have been used in the drawings or in the description to refer to the same or similar parts. Also, similarly named elements may perform similar functions and may be similarly designed, unless specified otherwise. Details are set forth to provide an understanding of the exemplary embodiments. Embodiments, e.g., alternative embodiments, may be practiced without some of these details. In other instances, well known techniques, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the described embodiments. Various terms are used herein in accordance with their ordinary meanings in the art. The term “fan” is used according to its customary meaning to refer to an apparatus with one or more propellers (also referred to as blades) that can generate a current of air, e.g., for cooling or ventilation.
The term “about” as used herein indicates a deviation of at most 10% about a numerical value.
Various embodiments provide fan assemblies that ameliorate the limitations of the existing technology and achieve reduced noise levels while maintaining comparable system functions.
Various embodiments provide a damping mechanism for reducing the noise level in different systems, such as fans. In some embodiments, the damping mechanism reduces the noise level in a fan that is operating with minimal reduction in the flow rate or generated pressure. Some embodiments of the damping mechanism may be used in a range of systems that require fans, systems such as turbines, jet engines, cooling systems for computers, air purification systems, unmanned aerial or underwater vehicles, etc. Moreover, various embodiments of the damping mechanism may be applied to different types of fan shapes, such as, axial fans, centrifugal fans, blowers, etc.
More specifically,
In various embodiments, the combination of the casing and the fan wheel, or the plurality of propellers, in a fan may be called the body of the fan.
More specifically,
In section 210, damping patches 216 include bristles 218 that extend outwardly of peripheral edge 213. More generally, damping patches 216 may include bristles arranged spaced apart from each other. The distance between the adjacent bristles may be selected based on a desired noise reduction and a material of the bristles. Also, the distance between adjacent bristles 216 may change along the length of the peripheral edge of the propeller. In some embodiments, the length of each bristle may vary between about 1% to about 50% of the longest dimension of the propeller or fan blade, based on the shape of propellers, maximum and minimum speed of the propellers, an application area of the fan, a desired noise reduction criterion, etc. Other lengths greater than or less than those in the stated range are possible, in order to scale with the size of the propellers. The distances between bristles may be about 1/100th to about 1 times the length of shortest bristles.
Further, the bristle 500 includes a plurality of main branches 508 connected to the stem 502 and arrayed along a length of the stem 502 between the first end 504 and the second end 506. In this embodiment, the main branches 508 are arranged on both sides of the stem 502. As shown, each main branch 508 extends at an angle to a direction of the extension of the stem 502. In some embodiments, the angle varies between about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees. In some embodiments, each main branch 508 extends substantially perpendicularly to the stem 502. Moreover, each main branch 508 includes a plurality of sub-branches 510 arrayed along a length of the main branch and extending at an angle to the direction of extension of the main branch 508 from the stem 502. In some embodiments, the angle varies between about 5 degrees to about 175 degrees. In some embodiments, each sub-branch 510 extends substantially perpendicularly to the main branch 508. Accordingly, each sub-branch 510 extends substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the stem 502.
In this manner, the bristles 500 may include additional sub-level of branches that extend substantially perpendicularly or at acute angle relative to the immediate higher level branch and connected to immediate higher level branch. Also, a diameter and a length of each sublevel branch is between about 0.1% to about 10% of immediate higher-level branch. For example, a length and a diameter of each main branch 508 is approximately between about 0.1% to about 50% of a length and/or diameter of the stem 502, and a length and a diameter of each sub-branch 510 is approximately between about 0.1% to about 50% of a length and diameter of the main branch 508.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the bristles are made of silicone. Some other embodiments, however, may utilize bristles made of other materials, such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, bioplastic, carbon fiber, monomer or polymer, bioorganic fiber, etc., or combinations thereof having suitable noise damping characteristics. In some embodiments, the bristles are made of a material that is the same as the material of the propellers. Further, in some embodiments, the bristles may be flexible. Flexible bristles may achieve their flexibility from their small size and/or from being made of flexible material including but not limited to silicone and fibers.
Various embodiments of damping patches 216 may include different structures or arrangements of bristles 218. For example, the bristles may be arranged in the form of a serrated structure or part. In various embodiments, each bristle 218 may be a serration or a velvet bristle. Serration may embody irregular or non-sinusoidal morphology. Further, serration may be randomly shaped and non-uniformly sized. In some embodiments, the bristles may be arranged to form a velvet part or structure. A velvet structure may be distinguished from a serration structure based on the characteristic or average distance between adjacent bristles, average length of the bristles, average flexibility or hardness of the bristles, or average thickness of the bristles. For example, in a velvet structure, the density of bristles may be 1,000,000 per square inch to 1 per square inch, and may increase or decrease based on one or more factors such as the maximum and minimum speed of the propellers, length and shape of the propellers, an application area of the fan, a desired noise reduction criterion, maximum and minimum speed of the propellers, an application area of the fan, and a desired noise reduction criterion.
Moreover, various embodiments may utilize bristles of different shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the bristles may include a two-dimensional elongated shape. In some such cases, the thicknesses of the bristles may be very small, e.g., about 1 nm to about 100 nm, e.g., in a range of about 1 nm to about 10 nm. Alternatively, the bristles may include a 3-dimensional shape having a substantially circular, oval, or teardrop cross-section. In some such cases, the bristles may have a circular cross section that gradually decreases from a base of the bristle to a tip of the bristle, e.g., with a draft angle in a range of about 0 degrees to about 85 degrees. Also, the bristles may extend in a curved shape from the base to the tip. In some embodiments, the bristles may include a shape similar to a shape of a bristle of a feather of a bird.
In some embodiments the combination of damping patches 216 may form one or more damping elements. In various embodiments, one or more of the damping patches may be located on or attached to different parts of the propellers. For example, in some embodiments such as the previously discussed embodiment in
In some embodiments, the damping patches may include felt type material arranged/covering at least a portion of the front surface of one or more propellers. In some embodiments, peaks and valleys may be formed on the front surface of a propeller, and the peaks and valleys may define the bristles. In some embodiments, the peaks and valleys are created or defined on the front surface by increasing a surface roughness. In some alternative embodiments, the front surface is knurled to define the peaks and valley on the front surface.
In various embodiments, the damping patches may be in the form of attachments that are manufactured separately from, and attached to the propellers. Also, the damping patch may be coupled to various edges or surfaces of the propellers using suitable coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism may be included in a coupling section of the attachment. The coupling section may include a locking mechanism, an adhesive, snap fitting, or others that achieve a similar result. Moreover the coupling mechanism may include soldering, fusing, etc. In some other embodiments, the damping patches may be integral to, and formed during the manufacturing of, the propellers in the corresponding location, such as one or more of the edges or surfaces.
Some embodiments utilize damping elements that are attached to parts that are different from the propellers of the fan. As one example,
Some embodiments utilize damping elements that are attached to parts that are different from the propellers of the fan. As one example,
While in the above described embodiments, the damping patches are generally located on one type of edge or surface, such as the leading edge, the trailing edge, the peripheral edge, or the front surface of the propellers, in some other embodiments the damping patches may be located in a combination of two or more types of edges or surfaces. Such combinations may be chosen to achieve a desired reduction of noise level.
In some embodiments, the fan with one or more damping elements may be used as a fan of an air filter to draw air through the filter. In some other embodiments, the fan with the one or more damping elements may be utilized for other suitable applications, such as, but not limited to, turbofans, jet engines, wind turbines, radiator fans, electrical or electronic device fans, unmanned aerial or underwater vehicle, or any other similar field in which noise reduction is desired.
In some embodiments, one or more of the damping patches can be in the form of a noise-reducing element that is formed as a stand-alone element and subsequently connected to a propeller and/or a casing of a fan. By way of illustration,
Those having ordinary skill will appreciate that various changes may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Although some aspects have been described in the context of a system or an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects may also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration only. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. While several exemplary embodiments and features are described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations may be possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Accordingly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the descriptions relate to one or more embodiments and should not be construed to limit the embodiments as a whole. This is true regardless of whether or not the disclosure states that a feature is related to “a,” “the,” “one,” “one or more,” “some,” or “various” embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, the term “coupled” does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items. Also, stating that a feature may exist indicates that the feature may exist in one or more embodiments.
In this disclosure, the terms “include,” “comprise,” “contain,” and “have,” when used after a set or a system, mean an open inclusion and do not exclude addition of other, non-enumerated, members to the set or to the system. Further, unless stated otherwise or deducted otherwise from the context, the conjunction “or,” if used, is not exclusive, but is instead inclusive to mean and/or.
Moreover, if these terms are used, a set may include one or more members, and a subset of a set may include one or more than one, including all, members of the set.
Further, if used in this disclosure, and unless stated or deducted otherwise, a first variable is an increasing function of a second variable if the first variable does not decrease and instead generally increases when the second variable increases. On the other hand, a first variable is a decreasing function of a second variable if the first variable does not increase and instead generally decreases when the second variable increases. In some embodiment, a first variable may be an increasing or a decreasing function of a second variable if, respectively, the first variable is directly or inversely proportional to the second variable.
The disclosed compositions, systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combinations thereof, nor do the disclosed compositions, systems, methods, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved. Any theories of operation are to facilitate explanation, but the disclosed compositions, systems, methods, and apparatus are not limited to such theories of operation.
Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practicing the embodiments. For example, the described steps need not be performed in the same sequence discussed or with the same degree of separation. Likewise various steps may be omitted, repeated, combined, or performed in parallel, as necessary, to achieve the same or similar objectives. Similarly, the systems described need not necessarily include all parts described in the embodiments, and may also include other parts not described in the embodiments. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the above-described details, but instead are defined by the appended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents. Further, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and non-obvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another.
While the present disclosure has been particularly described in conjunction with specific embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications, and variations as falling within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63/452,392, titled “Silent Fan,” which was filed on Mar. 15, 2023 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63452392 | Mar 2023 | US |
